If you are going abroad and have chosen some countries where English is primary language, it is must you need to give some basic language testing exams which tests your English skills. TOEFL and IELTS are two primary English testing exams which are required to be given before you apply to any foreign Universities . But confusion is,what prevails in the minds of many students as they are confused to which is the best option for their career.
Let us know the similarities between TOEFL and IELTS..
Both IELTS and TOEFL exams are English language tests aimed at Pre-university students planning to make a step forward to higher education.
These exams are English language tests aimed at pre-university students planning to make the step to higher education.
Both are paid exams and you need to pay a fee between $150 to $250.
Although both tests almost focus on the same thing, but they do it somewhat differently… which is why so many students want to know which is better (and even more commonly, which is easier).
Below some of the points which distinguishes between TOEFL and IELTS exam on parameters like Acceptance, Availability, Types, Cost, Scoring , Section etc…
TOEFL was initially developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics at Stanford University. As such, it has very wide acceptance in US universities. IELTS is mostly a British test. Hence, it is more readily accepted in Universities within the commonwealth. This includes colleges in Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Many American Universities also accept IELTS.
Availability
AS TOEFL is an older test than IELTS, and because more students apply to US Universities than Australia or UK, TOEFL boasts of a higher number of test centers. 4,500 test centers spread across 165 countries.
IELTS, on the other hand, has only 900 centers globally. But has a center in every major international city.
Both IELTS and TOEFL are offered 48 times in a year.
Types
TOEFL offers just one type of test – the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test). Some centers also offer the Paper-based Test (PBT) which is just a paper version of the iBT.
IELTS offers two types of tests:
- Academic: This test is used for meeting the admission requirements of universities. It is harder, with the tests concerned primarily with performance in an academic setting.
- General: This is a general purpose test used to meet visa requirements when immigrating to a country. It is easier with most questions concerned with performance in a real world, social setting.
The IELTS test taker split is almost equally divided into 50% academic, and 50% general test takers.
Cost
Testing fee for both TOEFL and IELTS varies between $150-$250 depending on your location and test type.
Scoring
The TOEFL is scored out of 120 points. IELTS scores are based on a 9 point scale with half-point increments.
One of the major differences is the Speaking part of the test.
The IELTS speaking section is actually a one-on-one interview. Yes!!! You are required to give this test having IELTS examiner face to face.
In TOEFL this test can be easily done by answering six questions into a microphone. These questions are then sent to an examiner to mark.
A student can be asked to listen to a lecture or an academic discussion and voice your thoughts on the same (such questions are called ‘integrated tasks’ on the TOEFL).
If you’re fine giving a test having an interviwer face to face then you can go for IELTS otherwise choosing TOEFL is better.
Writing Test
If you are more comfortable with British English than American English then consider taking IELTS than TOEFL as TOEFL predominently uses only US English spellings. IELTS as offered by the British Council accepts both UK and US English spellings.
Listening
Be Ready to listen to various accents on the IELTS Listening section which includes , but isn’t limited to, British, American, Australian and Canadian accents.
TOEFL, on the other hand, employs the standard American accent which you might find it easier if you have had a lot of practice in American accent and have watched American movies or TV shows.
Conclusion: But which one is Better????
In order to get a good results in IELTS, having good English as well as good knowledge of the test is must. On the other hand scoring good results in TOEFL is possible if you have an expert knowledge of the test. Having great English is not necessary.That means in true sense IELTS tests your overall skills.
For IELTS, students have to write two assignments in 60 minutes. For TOEFL also two assignments have to be written but in 50 minutes only.
But most students feel that hand written assignments are better than typing it in computer. Thats why students feel that IELTS is better than TOEFL as assignemnts can be written by hand which is faster and comfortable whereas TOEFL tasks must be typed using a computer.
Though IELTS is bit tougher than TOEFL, IELTS still could be a better choice as most students feel that IELTS scores are more consistent than TOEFL..
Also for studying academic English IELTS probably could be a better choice..
